“I’m a big fan of Gérard Depardieu.” With these words, French President Emmanuel Macron defended the famous actor, who was accused of rape or sexual assault by three women on Wednesday. The centrist leader not only affirmed the presumption of innocence as a fundamental principle of the judicial process, but also compared it to others. a “witch hunt” A barrage of criticism directed at the translator in an interview on France 5. Depardieu’s defense was so heated that many saw it as a maneuver by Macron. diverting attention, Following the political crisis caused by the passage of tough immigration legislation in the National Assembly this week.
Approval around midnight on Tuesday law of dharma (The Interior Minister’s surname) was the icing on the cake of a truly difficult year for Macron; perhaps the most complicated year in domestic politics since his arrival at the Elysée in 2017. He paid a heavy price for his attempt this fall. Inside rapid parliamentary negotiationsRepublicans (LR affiliated with PP) managed to take many measures with a radicalized immigration discourse. And they transformed the text, which was initially dominated by a restrictive and ‘security’-oriented vision of immigration, into one of the harshest laws on this subject in France in recent years.
The former private secretary to Health Minister Aurélien Rousseau and Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne resigned on Wednesday in response to the controversial law going through parliament, perceived by the majority of the French public as an “ideological victory” of the far right. Thanks to the votes cast for Marine Le Pen’s National Rally. one of them Universities, Sylvie RetailleauHe submitted his position to the president but rejected his possible resignation. Three other ministers from the less conservative wing of the executive (Culture, Industry and Transport) have also threatened to resign, but they do not appear likely to go that far.
A 2024 marked by the Olympic Games
“Knowing the reaction of the street (yellow vests, pension reform…), Macron said: It is now answered in its own field. “This represents a turning point,” he said. Le Monde Solenn de Royer, journalist and analyst. Even 32 left-run departments (equivalent to states) have warned that they will not implement some of the Darmanin law’s most controversial measures.
From the most massive wave of union protests in the 21st century in the neighboring country against unpopular pension reform in the first half of the year, to the turmoil over immigration law, eventually including revolt in the “suburbs”. Macron lived a year after the death of young Nahel in June dreadfulness. Will it be able to fly in 2024?
It will be celebrated with numerous commemorations or grand ceremonies in France next year. June 6 will be commemorated 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings. It will take place on July 26 starting gun for Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games A magnificent parade was held along the River Seine. And on December 8, Notre Dame Cathedral will reopen its doors five and a half years after the great fire. Macron, a gifted orator, feels comfortable with such events and hopes they will serve his purpose. Bringing greater harmony and optimism to the French nationIn 2023, he experienced information vertigo. But it is unclear whether this will serve to reverse current difficulties.
“It’s time Big meeting with the nation“Macron said the following in his statements at the beginning of December: Le Monde. In a television interview on France 5 this week, the president said this “wonderful event” will take place in January. However, a significant part of the French public views these “big announcements” with skepticism. The Elysée had already announced a similar initiative. tenant in September. Ultimately, however, this was limited to two meetings between the president and the heads of the main political parties (both the presidential coalition and the opposition).
Thermometer of European elections
Centrist Executive plans to make a statement “Death of dignity” law in February. It could be a text legalizing euthanasia, or a less ambitious device for that matter. They state that Macron may give a speech about the European Union from the Elysée on the same dates and that this will be the starting signal for the negotiations. European elections on June 9. Although generally characterized by a high rate of abstention in France (between 40% and 60%), these elections will serve as a political thermometer. It will be a classic by-election.
It is predicted that the European elections will be difficult for the Macronist coalition consisting of Rönesans, MoDem and Horizons parties. According to the latest surveys, which should be approached with caution, The president’s list will receive 20 percent of the votes your votes and Le Pen’s far right is around 30 percent. These voting intentions reflect Macronism losing seven points compared to the first round of the presidential election in spring 2022 and three points compared to the 2019 European elections, while Lepenism increased seven points.
Macron “is making a mistake common to many other conservative governments. He put immigration at the center of the legislative agenda to stop the far right through elections, but in reality he achieved the opposite result,” explains political scientist Christophe Bouillaud to EL PERIÓDICO of the Prensa Ibérica group. According to this professor at Sciences Po Grenoble, “The current government cannot propose measures that will satisfy the majority of the French people.” —significant increases in wages, improvement of public services…—higher because it has no money in the face of the beginning of the return of austerity in the European Union” and “in addition to its determination to reduce taxes and not raise them for revenue.”
After managing the Covid-19 pandemic with a certain pragmatism, which helped him win re-election in 2022, in 2023 the president felt like he was his arch-enemy. It closed the year weakly due to its own laws (pension and immigration reform) approved “at all costs”. And his ideological taboos appear to limit his responses to begin a comeback in 2024.